TurboCharger

Introduction to Turbocharger & Turbochargers for Jet Engine

Jet Turbocharger V1.0

K26 Turbocharger

A turbocharger is used on internal combustion engines to increase the amount of air and consequently the amount of fuel that can be introduced into the engines cylinders and as a result increases the amount of power that can be produced for a given engine size.

Cross-Section Through a Typical Turbocharger

The turbocharger’s compressor provides the pressurised air for the engines cylinders. The compressor wheel is driven by a turbine wheel via an interconnecting shaft. The turbine wheel is driven by the exhaust gases produced by the engine. The whole compressor/shaft/turbine rotating assembly is exactly the same setup as in a typical turbojet.

Flow Diagram for a Turbocharger in Normal Use

So, fortunately for us, a turbocharger already has two of the three major the elements that we need to build a turbojet, i.e. a compressor section and turbine section. The only difference between the turbocharger and a real commercial turbojet are the designs of the compressor and turbine wheels. In a commercial turbojet the wheels are designed to work ‘axially’ which means that the gases flow through the wheels along their axes of rotation.

Commercial Engine with Axial Wheels and Gas Flow

In a turbocharger, the wheels are designed to work ‘radially’ that is, the gases exit the compressor and enter the turbine in a radial direction, i.e. at right angles to their axis of rotation, which is the reason for the ‘snail shell’-like shape to the housings. The reason for this is efficiency, radial compressors and turbines work more efficiently below a certain size, above this size axial compressors and turbines are used, but this is not an issue for us apart from one of design compactness.

Turbocharger with Radial Wheels and Gas Flow

You can Download this nice design of Jet turbocharger V1.0 … click on image file scroll down on download page and have fun!